Cecilia moments

Cecilia has taken to walking around with a little purse if any of the other girls leave one laying around.

The other day I was stacking blocks for her to knock down, and she actually tried to restack them herself! She had a little trouble but didn't do too badly for her first try.

Robotics

Mariana had a fun opportunity this past weekend to attend a robotics training for her group that taught them how to build/program a battle bot. Apparently there is some talk about moving the state 4H competition this year to a battle bot style versus the traditional mission style robot!

Fun with Friends

Yesterday we had a few friends over...technically for a babysitting job for the older girls. But one of them was a playmate for Anastasia. Win, win!

So pretty all dressed up

We had such a nice day today. We went to the park with our park group and then brought a few friends home with us for the afternoon. The weather was pleasantly not so cold!

 

Aggie Girl

We dressed Cecilia for mass last night in her Aggie dress. What a cutie!

This girl is growing fast! She is getting pretty spunky too. She fooled us as a baby because she likes to sleep. I thought she was going to be more laid back like Sebastian. But she has been showing us lately that she has a mind of her own for sure! This last week she figured out how to perfectly imitate the older kids when they cry, "Mama" because they need something from me. It is hilarious to hear her use their tone and everything. She does it over and over just for fun!

Epiphany Princess

Cecilia looked so precious dressed up for Epiphany mass that we started calling her our Epiphany princess.

 

She sure loves her Daddy!

Happy 10th birthday, Gloria!

Gloria is in double digits! She was up early and anxious to open gifts. She was secretly hoping to get a mini backpack like her sisters received for Christmas...
She is always so thankful and it definitely the best mannered of our children. Stephen got her a Calico critter set (very generous of him, as they usually get each other candy because it is cheap!).

Happy with her gifts from Lito and Lita

And last but not least...the backpack!

We are so thankful to celebrate our girl who is always so sweet and thankful! Gloria is the one who will usually say thank you for dinner...or anything else she receives from us. She is a good obedient student most of the time and absolutely loves helping with Cecilia! I pray she continues to grow in virtue this year!

Anastasia's Birthday Party

We were very blessed to celebrate Anastasia's birthday with friends today. We started out coloring...

 

 Then moved on to musical chairs

 Hot potato

 And finally cupcakes and gifts

 Cinderella wedding dress from Godmommy and Max. So pretty!

So happy to celebrate our Annie!

Gloria's Birthday Party

As mentioned before, I tried to avoid having it on Anastasia's birthday, but it couldn't be helped! (Manah generously took Anastasia out during the party, and she had a marvelous time.) Allia baked and decorated the cake almost single-handedly as her gift to Gloria. It was 4 layers - 2 Amaretto and 2 strawberry. It was quite a feat!

For their 10th birthdays, the kids get to pick places to go with just their friends. Gloria picked laser tag and bumper cars at Grand Station and ice cream at Farmhouse creamery afterward. They had so much fun that I couldn't help but smile and laugh watching them!

They got the bumper cars all to themselves

Sweet girls enjoying some sweet ice cream

All the girls took turns lighting a few candles each

 

"Happy Birthday"

 

She received some fun gifts too

We are so thankful for such sweet friends to celebrate with Gloria. They really are a precious bunch! She is quite blessed!

Happy 6th Birthday, Anastasia!

Our Anastasia turned 6 today and has lost 2 teeth in the week leading up to her birthday! She generously shared her big day...one of Gloria's friends was leaving town for a few weeks, and this was the only day we could have her party. But it didn't dampen Annie's spirit in the least...not much does, really!

She could hardly wait to open family gifts in the morning

 

Our Anastasia is so determined, talkative, tough, energetic...Austin thinks "The Greatest" by Sia is her theme song, and he may be right! We are happy to see what God has in store our Anne girl!

The most wonderful time of the year...

Along with all the beautiful decorations and treats, parties and celebrations, the Christmas Octave really is the most wonderful time of the year. Austin always gets the whole time off work, and most or all of our other activities and obligations disappear. We are able to just be together, enjoy, play board games, watch movies, talk and just generally enjoy each other. It is really wonderful!

This little one has really been enjoying her extra Daddy time.

She looked so beautiful as we got ready for mass Saturday evening.

Sweet ginger sisters

 

She loves eating off of Daddy's plate (Manah and Pawpaw treated us to Razzoos for the Dec/Jan birthdays)

She loves her big brother

Some mini fireworks in the backyard for New Year's Eve

We have played numerous games of Clue and Life, watched a season of the Great British Baking Show, played with new toys, drawn pictures and houses, baked, shopped and cooked together. It's been great!